Method and composition for lithium additive in treatment of glutamate toxicity

Abstract

Treatment of glutamate toxicity is accomplished using Lithium or a composition of Lithium and a botanical extract. The composition is administered using conventional techniques to increase the survival of ganglion cells exposed to glutamate toxicity resulting from ischemic events. In exemplary embodiments, the botanical extract is St. Johns Wort, Tian Qi or Dong Gui.

1 . A method for treatment of glutamate toxicity comprising the steps of: 
 preparing a formulation containing Lithium in a human dosage equivalent to between about 1.16 mg lithium orotate and 29 mg lithium orotate;    administering the formulation.    
   
   
       2 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the step of administering comprises oral ingestion of the formulation.  
   
   
       3 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the step of administering comprises topical application to the eye.  
   
   
       4 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the step of administering comprises transmucosal application.  
   
   
       5 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the step of administering is selected from the administration techniques comprising transdermal administration, transcleral administration transepithelial administration, intraocular administration, intravitreal administration, enteral administration, administration by intraperitoneal injection or administration by intravenous injection directly into the bloodstream and the step of preparing includes adjustment of formulation dosage for greatest efficacy in the selected administration technique.  
   
   
       6 . A composition for treatment of glutamate toxicity comprising 
 Lithium in a human dosage equivalent to between about 1.16 mg lithium orotate and 29 mg lithium orotate, and,    a botanical.    
   
   
       7 . A composition as defined in  claim 6  wherein the Lithium is mixed with the botanical in exact form at about 0.6 percent weight.  
   
   
       8 . A composition as defined in  claim 6  wherein the botanical is St. Johns Wort.  
   
   
       9 . A composition as defined in  claim 6  wherein the botanical is Tian Qi.  
   
   
       10 . A composition as defined in  2  wherein the botanical is Dong Gui.  
   
   
       11 . A method for treatment of glutamate toxicity comprising the steps of: 
 mixing a composition of a Lithium and a botanical;    administering the mixed composition.    
   
   
       12 . A method as defined in  claim 11  wherein the step of administering comprises oral ingestion of the composition.  
   
   
       13 . A method as defined in  claim 11  wherein the step of mixing comprises combining about 3 grams of raw botanical and about 5.8 miligrams of Lithium.  
   
   
       14 . A method as defined in  11  wherein the botanical extract is St. Johns Wort.  
   
   
       16 . A method as defined in  claim 11  wherein the botanical extract is Tian Qi.  
   
   
       17 . A method as defined in  claim 11  wherein the botanical is in extract form and the step of mixing comprises containing about 900 milligrams of extract with about 5.8 grams of Lithium.  
   
   
       18 . A method as defined in  claim 17  wherein the Lithium is in the form of Lithium orotate.  
   
   
       19 . The method as defined in  claim 13  wherein the step of administering is selected from the administration techniques comprising topical administration, transdermal administration, transcleral administration, transepithelial administration, intraocular administration, intravitreal administration, enteral administration, administration by intraperitoneal injection or administration by intravenous injection directly into the bloodstream and the step of mixing includes adjustment of formulation dosage in the composition for greatest efficacy, in the selected administration technique.  
   
   
       20 . A pharmaceutical formulation for treatment of glutamate toxicity comprising Lithium in an efficacious dosage.